Secret Bothy Loader

location

Secret Bothy’s location is exactly that – secret! It is not visible from any public road and is accessed by a short, steep private drive somewhere in Killiecrankie, an area of outstanding natural beauty and site of a significant Jacobite battle. It lies just within the southern tip of the Cairngorms National Park.

Guests are given fail-safe directions on booking.

Killiecrankie, meaning “wood of aspen”, is midway between the Victorian town of Pitlochry, 4 miles to the south and the historic village of Blair Atholl, 3 miles to the north. Bisecting the area, the River Garry has created the Pass of Killiecrankie, a magnificent deep gorge. The immediate landscape is framed by rich wooded uplands, a perpendicular wall of rock, overhanging heather-clad summits and the lofty landmark of Ben Vrackie. At 2,757ft this peak is not quite a Munro but there is no shortage of higher and more challenging mountains in the vicinity.

The first and possibly goriest of Jacobite battles took place in Killiecrankie in 1689. The Highland Perthshire area of Blair Atholl, Rannoch and Pitlochry has a rich historical, cultural and natural heritage. There are opportunities to spot not just red squirrel and roe deer but also the more elusive pine marten or otter. The semi-natural ancient woodland supports a profusion of birdlife and salmon swim upstream in the autumn.

There are railway stations in both Pitlochry and Blair Atholl with good daily service both north and south. Not only are there frequent trains to main cities daily but the Inverness – London (and return) sleeper stops at Pitlochry and Blair Atholl 6 nights / mornings per week.

Three airports at Dundee (52 miles), Edinburgh (71 miles) and Inverness (87 miles) provide national and international connections. 

As the nearest food shops are a few miles away, wheels are essential at Secret Bothy.  The Killiecrankie Visitor Centre is within easy walking distance and its JacoBite cafe offers excellent patisserie seven days a week. Dining options are available and we are happy to advise. 

Secret Bothy Map

Location Snapshot
Snapshot

Site of Battle of Killiecrankie 1689
Cairngorms National Park
Pass of Killiecrankie
The Soldier’s Leap
NTS Killiecrankie visitor centre
Jacobite Trail
Queen’s View
Blair Castle
Killiecrankie Hotel
 Loch Tummel National Scenic AreaPitlochry, Blair Atholl railway stations Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness airports National Cycle Route 7
Car hire
Cycle hire